Physical therapy massage stick and process

Abstract

A process for conducting therapeutic deep tissue physical massage on human patients, and an aid for use in practicing the process, are characterized by a solid, massage stick comprised of three polyethylene glycols, namely, a major proportion of a first polyethylene glycol having a relatively high viscosity and a melting temperature in excess of the temperature of the human body, a lower proportion of a second polyethylene glycol having a melting temperature less than the temperature of the human body, and a minor proportion of a third polyethylene glycol exhibiting lubricity or emolliency. The resultant product and use of the same pursuant to the process provide the therapist with a solid firmness and a sense of tackiness or drag needed for effective therapeutic deep tissue massage and mobilization; and at the same time, provide a degree of lubricity or emolliency that mitigates against abrasion or traumatization of the skin and contributes to the massaging actions of the therapist and a feeling of well being on the part of the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A massage stick for use by physical therapists in conducting tisue mobilization, myofacial and deep tissue massage therapy on patients, comprising a solid stick of ingredients which remains essentially solid at and below the temperature of the human body and which upon contact with and at the temperature of the human body provides a massaging surface exhibiting a degree of lubricity, a degree of tackiness and a solid firmness facilitating deep penetrating massaging action,   said stick comprising a composition of ingredients including a major porportion by weight of a first polyethylene glycol having a relatively high viscosity and a melting temperature above the temperature of the human body, a lower porportion by weight of a second polyethylene glycol having a melting temperature less than the temperature of the human body, and a minor porportion by weight of a third polyethylene glycol exhibiting emolliency,   said first polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of from about 3,000 to about 3,700 and comprising about 54% by weight of said stick, said second polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of from about 570 to about 630 and comprising about 41% by weight of said stick, and said third polyethylene glycol comprising an ethoxylated lanolin having in the order of about 75 moles of ethylene oxide and comprising about 5% by weight of said stick.   
     
     
       2. A massage stick as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first polyethylene glycol has an average melting temperature of from about 125 degrees F. to about 140 degrees F., and said second polyethylene glycol has a melting temperature of from about 65 degrees F. to about 80 degrees F. 
     
     
       3. A massage stick as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first, second and third polyethylene glycols form a stick having a melting temperature of from about 100 degrees F. to about 125 degrees F. 
     
     
       4. A massage stick as set forth in claim 1 comprising a solid cylinder having a diameter of from about 1 to about 11/2 inches. 
     
     
       5. A massage stick as set forth in claim 4 including a cylindrical push-up container for said stick, said container having an open top and a push-up bottom so that the top portion of the stick can be pushed upwardly from the container for axial massaging engagement against the body of a patient, said container comprising means for holding and manipulating said stick during therapeutic massage.